Nolan Arenado is among the many players with ties to Southern California, and that makes for games at Dodger Stadium being a bit more memorable as they often come in front of friends and family.
While Arenado had another homecoming this week, it ended in disappointment for the Rockies as they were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the three-game series. The five-time All-Star enjoyed individual success as he went 4-for-10 with two home runs, three RBI and one walk.
One of Arenado’s homers became an internet sensation because a fan in right-center field pavilion rushed over to make a leaping catch while falling on his back.
Arenado was initially shocked to hear as many cheers as he did when he was rounding the bases after a solo shot during Tuesday’s loss, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post:
“I heard the crowd cheering when I first hit it and I was like, ‘I know I don’t have that many family and friends here,’ ” said Arenado, who grew up in Lake Forest in nearby Orange County.
Arenado later saw a replay of the catch and offered his own praise for the fan’s play, which came one night after someone dropped a ball in nearly the identical spot:
“I found out he made the great play, and that’s when I realized that’s what they were cheering for,” Arenado said. “When I hit it, it got loud and I didn’t know what was going on. It was kind of weird but it was an awesome play.”
In his seven-year career with the Rockies, Arenado has become arguably the best third baseman in baseball. He was initially expected to hit free agency after the 2019 season, with the Dodgers considered a threat to bring him closer to home.
However, Arenado signed an eight-year extension with Colorado just before Spring Training started, locking up the prime of his career as a member of the Rockies.
That means he will likely continue torching the Dodgers, especially in Chavez Ravine. While many other Rockies stars have struggled at Dodger Stadium, a much more pitcher-friendly park compared to Coors Field, where Arenado has a .316/.381/.789 career slash line.
Arenado’s home run on Tuesday marked his third at Dodger Stadium this season, which is tied with
San Diego’s Petco Park and Milwaukee’s Miller Park for the most he has hit in a road stadium.
